Job Description
Construction Materials Technician Apprenticeship (Level 3) - BAM Nuttall Ltd
Department: Science Apprenticeship - Materials L3
Employment Type: Apprentice
Location: Banbury
Compensation: £20,000 / year
Location: Banbury Lane, Thorpe Mandeville, Banbury, OX17 2EX
Expected Start Date: ASAP
Working for BAM Nuttall LtdBAM Ritchies is the ground engineering division of BAM Nuttall We provide fully integrated services for a wide range of customers – both public and private sector, from small local projects to national critical infrastructure.
We were named Contractor of the Year at the Ground Engineering awards 2021, and with over 60 years, we’ve built a reputation as the go-to ground engineering team for complex problem solving and best-value, sustainable delivery – with no surprises.
The Royal BAM Group is one of Europe’s largest construction companies, employing 20,000 people globally, with an annual turnover of £7 billion.
Their purpose is to create sustainable environments that enhance peoples’ lives.
“We’re driven by a desire to deliver outcomes for clients and their customers, in a way that modernises the industry. We use digital engineering, a net zero carbon approach, placing sustainability and great people, at the heart of our organisation. We strive to enhance the lives of people and in the communities where we work.” - Ian Parish, Managing Director.
Find out more about BAM by viewing their website below:
- Starting salary of £20,000 per year (increasing to National Minimum/Living Wage after 12 months)
- Weekly Pay
- 22 days annual leave plus bank holidays (2 weeks off for Christmas)
- 2 Wellbeing days per year and 1 volunteering day
- Overtime available - uplift for working weekends (a lot of our technicians like to work these shifts for the extra money)
- Workings hours are 40 hours per week (plus weekend overtime where needed)
- Monday to Friday (7:30 AM-17:30 PM)
- On site canteen + kitchen
- Opportunity to remain permanent with company after apprenticeship is finished as a laboratory technician with a starting salary of £25,000 per year
- Opportunity to progress dependent on performance
Key Responsibilities
As a BAM Apprentice you join other apprentices and will be learning from experienced BAM colleagues and will be adding value to the team in no time. We don’t require any prior experience as we’ll teach you everything you need to know about materials testing in the construction industry; you just need to be ready to work hard and get your hands dirty! This apprenticeship provides great variety as you’ll experience life out on site as well as in the lab carrying out testing.
The project you’ll be on is The HS2 Project. HS2 is Britain’s new high speed rail line being built from London to the North-West, with HS2 trains linking the biggest cities in Scotland, Manchester, Birmingham and London. It is the largest infrastructure project in Europe and the most important economic and social regeneration project in decades. You can find out more here:
HS2
This apprenticeship is a unique opportunity to develop a career within the construction sector, offering you the chance to develop skills and specialisations that are highly sought.
Within this role you will develop an understanding and knowledge of the implementation of various methods to examine construction materials. Through training and development provided you will work towards excellence in the following areas:
- Carrying out sampling and testing of construction materials, soils, aggregates and concrete in line with Standards and customers specification.
- Carrying out a point of work risk assessment
- Checking that equipment to be used is in calibration and if broken or damaged this is reported to line manager immediately.
- Entering and completing on appropriate sheets all records, readings and results that arise from the procedure being carried out.
- Communicating clear instructions to site teams based on a thorough understanding of Client specification and expectations
- Provide clear and concise data to demonstrate compliance
- Carrying out testing using equipment checked for calibration to demonstrate compliance
- Delivering daily/weekly work programmes with site teams
- Maintaining detailed site diary
- Maintaining personal CPD record and CV to demonstrate career development
- Carrying out any other relevant duties as requested from time to time.
About You
You’re someone who enjoys being out on site and part of real-world projects, rather than sitting behind a desk. Working outdoors, travelling between locations, and being involved in construction environments appeals to you - you like seeing how things are built and playing a role in making sure they’re done properly.
You’re practical, reliable, and detail-focused. You take pride in following procedures accurately, whether that’s measuring materials, carrying out tests, or recording results. You understand that quality and safety matter, especially in a busy site environment, and you’re comfortable working to clear standards and deadlines without cutting corners.
You learn best by doing and enjoy hands-on work using equipment and tools. You’re confident with basic maths and recording data, and you stay calm and focused even when working around machinery or in fast-paced environments. You’re happy working independently once trained, but also communicate clearly with site teams to ensure work is completed safely and correctly.
You’re motivated by being part of something tangible - contributing to projects like roads, buildings, and infrastructure - and you’re keen to build a long-term career in the construction or materials testing industry.
Please note: You must be 18+ due to the nature of the working environment and a full UK manual driving licence is required for this role.
Apprenticeship Eligibility
To apply for this apprenticeship, you must:
✔️ Be 16 or over
✔️ Not be in full-time education
✔️ Have lived in the UK for at least 3 years
✔️ Have the right to work in the UK
Apprenticeships are designed to provide new knowledge, skills and behaviours, so applicants should not already hold a Level 3, degree or higher qualification in a closely related subject, or have significant experience in the same field.
If you’re unsure whether you meet the criteria, we’d still love to hear from you - get in touch and we can advise you further.
So how does the apprenticeship work?
Start your career as a materials technician and gain hands-on experience supporting real testing and analysis in a laboratory or technical environment.
As part of this Level 3 Materials Technician apprenticeship, you’ll learn how to carry out tests, analyse data, and contribute to important projects, whether that’s in a laboratory or a more practical, site-based environment.
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Learn more about the programme here.
Over 20 months, you’ll combine day-to-day experience in your role with structured training delivered by expert tutors at Tiro. Our blended learning approach includes a mix of online sessions, in-person training, and hands-on support, alongside guidance from a dedicated mentor in the workplace.
You’ll spend at least 6 hours per week on off-the-job training, including virtual learning, practical activities, and applied assignments.
What your training will look like:You’ll follow a structured programme combining live sessions, online learning, and hands-on workplace training to build your skills step by step.
What could your future look like?
This apprenticeship will help you build the skills and experience needed to start your career as a materials technician and progress within the industry.
Through hands-on training, you’ll develop the competence and confidence to carry out laboratory testing and take on increasing responsibility in your role. This programme can also lead to professional recognition, such as becoming a Registered Science Technician (RSciTech).
You’ll gain experience that’s valued across a wide range of technical and scientific roles, opening up opportunities to grow and specialise in your chosen field.
If you choose to continue your development, you may also have the opportunity to progress onto higher-level qualifications, such as degree apprenticeships in Materials or Chemistry.
